Abstract

This article reintroduces an overlooked, but uniquely Christian approach to bioethical decision-making. In 1988, John Frame applied this model in his book, Medical Ethics: Principles, Persons, and Problems. Frame’s triperspectival approach consists of applying three perspectives to every ethical question—the situational, normative, and existential perspectives. Applied to the topic of brain death and vital organ donation, the Christian can rationally conclude that brain death does not equate to the death of the human person. Thus, the Christian is faced with two immediate and opposing options. The Christian can assume a non-participatory stance justified by the imperative of the Sixth Commandment. Or, he can participate based on the principle of self-sacrifice buttressed by further biblical justification. The principle of representation and conservation of life are explored as possible scriptural/philosophical justifications for this second option.

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